#217 - Gratitude in Pictures!

Vol.# 217

I love the early mornings here. Life has not yet come alive on the street below, the air is still cool, the birds are singing, the cocks are crowing. The muffled sounds of the same 5 people walking every morning for exercise tells me that I am on time here for my morning date with Jesus. Around me the sky, though dark, is just beginning to come alive with the sun filtering in through slowly. 

My Morning View

The construction sounds in the nearby building has not yet begun. I noticed that the workmen there begin at 6:30, so it is true bliss for that one and half hours from 5 till then! I thought in the midst of this God-ordained season of partial lockdown and total lockdown all over the world, I would talk about those things I am truly grateful for through pictures!

I am using pictures because I am thinking of Ravi Zacharias who is now in heaven with His Saviour and who has used the power of words to simply express whom the Lord Jesus Christ is. I am aware of many who have written about the impact of his life on their walk with Jesus. For me, it was through his books that I learnt how to explain and communicate about my faith, his way of answering those deep questions in love and with respect, never in an antagonistic or condescending manner. May I encourage you to read our own Shyamala Krishnan’s words about her brother Ravi in her blog, shyamalapgz.wordpress.com.

Bro. Ravi you taught us much, you imparted much wisdom, and my prayers go out to not only his wife and grownup children, but also to his siblings and their families as well! As my own sister Sita remarked on one of her postings, we all need to carry on his legacy of talking about our faith, through whichever media we are gifted in, art, music, spoken or rhythmic word etc. As part of my thank you to Jesus, I now will use pictures!


- I am so thankful for my IPad! 

Ah, I can feel the disappointment from some of you thinking, “Really Vidya, how materialistic!’  Ah, but for the IPad, I would not have seen the kindness and creativity of others! I am not sure if you can see the crack at the bottom of the IPad on the photo shown, but a couple of weeks before l returned to Toronto on my last visit, the magnetic ‘ting’ which held the screen to the keyboard pad was no longer holding the IPad together, and it fell out of the case and cracked! It was frustrating trying to use it, as I would have to prop it up and make sure that the IPAD itself was secure before using it. Well, Ian and Ramona L. saw this, and Ian, being the MacGyver that he is, promptly put double-sided tape to keep the IPAD in place, and put a screen saver on the part of the screen that was cracked so that it was safeguarded and would not crack anymore! On my return here to Phnom Penh, anytime I used this, many Khmer would comment on the creativity and the low cost of repairing the cracked glass, which by the way is Jesus showing His love to me, because the location of the cracks are at the bottom of the screen, so I can still see clearly to do my work on this! 

After 3 months back in the extremely hot conditions here, the double-sided tape began to lose its effect and the top part of the apparatus that holds the IPAD in place began to break off! This is where others here came in to help. When Teacher Pov saw how difficult it was becoming to work on this, he immediately said he had special tape, but we had to get rid of the old one which ironically was so glued to the back of the IPAD but not strong enough to keep it stuck to the key board holder. He was trying to peel it off when Sister Chhoung Sary came in, saw what we were trying to do, and immediately went and got a rag and just took the IPAD and gently began to try to remove the tape! 

Pastoral Team with Sister Sary on Far Right

Two Maintenance Workers From Church

Sister Sary is one of the two maintenance workers here at the church, the hardest hit economically by the pandemic since now we only use a part of the building (school area and church sanctuary are not being used). There is no school for her children who are usually fed 2 meals at the school, so now she has to prepare three meals for them on a reduced salary. She is one of those who received a blessing package of groceries from YOU, since you all contribute to me financially being here. For thirty minutes she slowly and methodically and carefully removed the sticky backing. Then Pov took me down to the market area and someone else there put a protective plastic on the back of the IPAD for only $2.50 before we repasted the double sided tape. The seller and the customers there were commenting on the creativity of the screen saver and asking about the costs of the keyboard (each of the three customers hazarding the costs of it!). Then we went to another seller in the market who sold phones and accessories and he took a look at the broken part of the keyboard holder and proceeded to glue it so that my IPAD would stand in place when I was using it. He worked on it for 5 -10 minutes, then gave it back to us. When I asked how much the cost was, he said, “No charge!” I am overwhelmed by the generosity of all who gave their time and efforts over this tool. So humbling to me! God provided the help I needed here through others that I am so thankful for! 

- I thank God that I have the space to wash and hang my clothes and sheets! I know that many like my parents are closeted in an apartment with no such ‘luxury’! 

Hanging Clothes

- My role has been changing here from teaching in front of the class to helping in the background doing the prep and voice-overs on the educational videos. I am helping with the prep but my Khmer teachers are the faces on the video teaching and being creative with different forms of social media to reach out to the students.It has been exciting to see my fellow Khmer teachers rise up and use social media to communicate the English lessons. Since there is no immediate interaction with the students in the classroom, the hours spent in trying to construct sentences that would accurately but simply reflect the meaning of the words has been challenging and gratifying!

Recording English Lessons

My Co-Teachers

After Almost 2 hours of Prep!

- I get to meet with other ministry leaders now. Pastoral care ministry has grown and since we are now looking after those in immediate financial need, I get to see the generosity of others. I get to help transcribe the blessing experiences of the Khmer recipients for the English speaking ex-pat donors, and I am blessed to get to know those in charge with whom I ordinarily would not have spent so much time!

First Dinner Out

First Staff Prayer Meeting After 2 ½ Months!

- I am humbled to be reminded that my ‘presence’ is sometimes all that is needed here to encourage others! I was told that my energy and cheerfulness always brings a smile! In actuality after being in self-isolation I am SO READY to be in contact with ANYONE that it is easy to radiate such joy! LOL!

- I am thankful for YOU all for your calling in on FT to surprise me. Thank you Meech in Colorado, and to Ian and Ramona who came up with the idea of us watching a TV series together on FT! For the past three Saturday mornings I got to watch with them, coffee and popcorn handy in Phnom Penh as they watched it in Toronto, and yes, on my IPAD!!!!!

- I thank God for the deepening of relationships. Since I cannot go out to meet with many, I can do one on one or invite one or two to my house and spend quality time with them.

- Thankful for Chloe whose picture I will not show since she is only one year old, but her parents Lauren and David have been my online life lines here and to see this little one grow, though social distancing, has made me smile and laugh with her purity and innocence. Thankful to Mel who is in Singapore and cannot return but whose insights and love for her Khmer family here is awe inspiring through her ministry BRAVE!

- Grateful to my own family, Mom and Dad with whom I get to WhatsApp and to my siblings who keep me laughing during this time when I am on my own!

Just before I sign off, I had been having trouble her with the Wi-Fi, as in NO Wi-Fi. The company tech and I were becoming fast friends, since I have been calling every morning for the past 4 days! After the third visit by a technician (each one being sprayed with sanitizer on arrival here much to their surprise!), which happened to be on a Sunday, I decided to watch the worship service on my IPAD (yes!) using the hotspot off my 4G, and figured if the technician was going to stay long as the others, I would play the worship service loudly so that he could hear it as well and go to church with me! So I did! THE WORD was being presented in rhythmic form as well as SPOKEN, and as role-modeled by my parents when we had workers come to our house in Trinidad, this tech was given refreshment as he sat and worked on the Wi-Fi!

Wi-Fi Guys Listening To Sermon

God has a purpose for you this season. Reach out to one person by phone, or email or text. Your presence in their life is precious! 

Thank you for your continuing support and dancing with me here in my heart country! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#216 - Adjusting to life amid Covid-19 in Cambodia

Vol.# 216

Okay, I am prepared! 

I have all the necessary things I need and here I go! 

Am I preparing for a trip? No! To cook? No!

I am preparing to take a ...shower! It is SO HOT here that the water turns from cool to BOILING HOT within a matter of 2-3 minutes. Thus, if I am going to wash my hair, I have to carefully lay out the route from one shower in one room to another, in the hope that I can lather up under one shower before sprinting to the other one to wash off the shampoo! Well, it gets my heart pumping, but does nothing to cool me down since it is a sprint! And I NEVER run! 

But that is life here. The water tank on the rooftop gets pretty heated up, so you learn never to take a shower in the midday. Early in the morning and late at night are your best options. As I ponder the different ways I have to adjust to the hottest month and season of the year, I look at the ways I have had to adjust to COVID 19.
I still get up early to meet with Jesus, but instead of 5:30a.m., I now have to do it at 5:00a.m. since the day gets hotter earlier and I like the coolness of the morning as I watch the sun begin to rise. I still have to ‘get dressed’ and be ready for impromptu video calls from my Khmer co-teachers and the head of the school. It is not usually a set time and I have learnt to be prepared, because for the first few times I would answer, and they, being at the office and not self isolating, would be prepped whereas I was not. Invariably one of them would take a picture to post on the staff link of us talking and yes, that pic of me was never flattering!

As of yesterday, we have had no new COVID infections for the past 15 days from the random testing, no deaths and 70 percent recovery rate. These statistics are given by the Cambodian government, whereas Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the surrounding countries near Cambodia, have had higher rates of infection and deaths. However, large gatherings are still banned. No school or church. Weddings and funerals are still happening but on a smaller scale. Flights to and from Cambodia are restricted and in some cases not allowed, but it is business as usual on the streets and in the malls. The big difference is that when you go to a bank, your temperature is taken, and in some malls, especially if you are a foreigner, your temperature is taken and hand sanitizer is sprayed on your hands. There is no community distancing here except in most groceries, there are signs on the floor where you should stand to wait at the cashiers. I have been at the office for three days a week since the protocols of temperature taking and hand sanitizing has been put in place. It has been good to be with everyone, taping lessons and being creative together in reaching out to our students. 

TEMPERATURE TESTING WHEN I GO IN AND YES, I ALSO ASKED FOR TESTING WHEN LEAVING MUCH TO THE SURPRISE OF THE RECEPTIONIST!

Praise and Pray: 

It is a simple task. I put my sheets and other laundry in the washing machine. When it is finished, I hang them up to dry. I am grateful. In Toronto, I think of my parents who have not stepped out of their apartment for over a month now. They do not have an ensuite washing machine and dryer, and cannot go down to the basement there to wash bigger items and put them in the dryer, because they are at high risk. My mom has to wash smaller items and put them to dry in the apartment, but the bigger things like sheets and towels they cannot do. My sister, bless her heart, goes to pick up those things and then takes it back for them. I take this task for granted and I pray for those of you who do not have access to laundry facilities and many other things for His grace and creative ways to get the simple things done.

Prayer Request: 

In this season the expectation that is often mentioned is that we become more like ‘Mary’ who sat at Jesus’ feet, listening and praying, versus ‘Martha’ who was all activity and getting things done. As I look at those around me and at myself, I pray that I do not become a Martha to be like a Mary! What does that mean? Perhaps that I am trying to fit in this allotted time to pray, to study the Word, to do a spiritual activity so I can show others and also reassure myself that I am using this allotted season to stay at Jesus’ feet! 

Praise: 

Many of you had prayed for creativity in how to reach out to others in this time of need. In my conversations with the leaders at the church, they have identified those in dire need, as well as the ‘sellers’ of certain goods within the congregation, and have linked buying those staple items from these sellers, who would not have business because of the closing of many shops, so that we can then give those items to those who have been identified as in need! A win-win situation!

BAGS OF 20 KILO RICE, OIL, INSTANT NOODLES, SUGAR, SOYA SAUCE AND FISH SAUCE BEING ASSEMBLED. WE DID 23 SETS YESTERDAY!

HONOURED TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER 1 FOOD PACKAGE TO TWO MEMBERS IN THE MARKET. JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE ONE ON THE RIGHT THEN GAVE FROM HER PACKAGE TO OTHERS!

THIS PRECIOUS ONE STOPPED COMING TO CHURCH AND HAD JUST SOLD HER PHONE TO GET MONEY FOR FOOD WHEN A CHURCH LEADER FELT GOD SAYING TO GIVE HER ONE OF THE BLESSING BASKETS. SHE CRIED AND SAID, "GOD IS ON TIME!"

ONE OF THE OLDEST AND POOREST MEMBERS CAME INTO THE OFFICE TO OFFER HER TITHE. SHE WANTED TO BLESS OTHERS. BROUGHT TEARS AND SMILES AT THE SAME TIME.

I have never been this much ‘churched’! Before COVID 19 I went to church twice on a Sunday, one to serve at, and the second to join! Now I go to church 4 times online! We encourage our students to join and just be there for online prayer requests. So at 8am, 10am, 3pm and 5:30pm, I am at church! 

Prayer for Nova Scotia:

My heart went out to Nova Scotians as I read about the killing spree. I pray for all of those grieving and in pain over lost ones. I pray for His grace and mercy for those directly affected. 

You are not forgotten. Thank you all for your continued prayer and financial support in the midst of this difficult season. Please continue to send your prayer requests and stories of your lives as we dance together for Jesus! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#215 - Tribute to Lisa Zoia Mossop

Vol.# 215

Tribute to Lisa Zoia Mossop

November 14, 1964 – April 5, 2020



It is early, around 5:10 in the morning, still dark as I make my up to the rooftop. I can hear a cock crowing in the distance, and the birds are already up. There is an older couple doing their customary walk on the street below for their exercise, followed by 2 other couples who are chattering away, normal everyday routine here. In the coolness of the morning as I sit and listen to “The Blessing” cover by Amanda Malela in five languages, I think of my sister Lisa Zoia Mossop who is now face to face with her Abba Father receiving that blessing at His feet! 

One of the main things you miss out on when you are an International Worker is the joining in of meaningful events, birth/birthdays, marriages, graduations, anniversaries, and, of course, celebration of life as we mourn the passing of a loved one here on earth. For all of the four first occasions that I mentioned, I can always see the person after the event and celebrate, but for the last one, death’s closure is very different. I think for most of us this year, the COVID-19 has made closure different, for many could not or cannot go to a ceremony or even visit at the hospice to show our love and care. For the past two days I have been reading from Joshua 16-20 where Moses is handing out the inheritance to the different tribes of Israel. As I tried to pronounce all the names dutifully, and mechanically read through this, it suddenly hits me: inheritance...legacy! Lisa’s legacy is my inheritance! 

                           Lisa: (meaning) God’s promise: God is my Oath: God’s satisfaction.
                           Zoia: (Greek) means alive!

Let me tell you how Lisa was God’s promise to me, and how she showed her faith when she was alive, and yet remains alive in my memories! 

I first met Lisa at Rexdale Alliance Church where she was spearheading the Plan to Protect rules to safeguard our babies, children and youth from potential abuse. She was there to train and implement this, ensuring that the church, our church, took the lead to protect the less vulnerable amongst us in society. She had a passion and energy that lit up a room, and a deep laugh that always made me ‘crack up’! 

I am not sure how she became friends with Ruby and myself. The three of us started to meet for brunch at her place, where she would have the table all set out with various dishes, in her bright kitchen full of light with the backdrop of the garden and flowers! Ruby would pick me up and by the time we had our coffee, we would be chatting and laughing about the everyday things that happen in our lives. It was her spirit of hospitality and warmth that made our times there so precious.  Immediately after eating and clearing the table, we moved to the sofa and big chairs where I would always grab a blanket, and then we would share about the more serious aspects of our lives, listening, encouraging each other, sometimes crying. Well, all the time tears were shed at some point, because then we sat and held each other’s hands and prayed! This went on for a couple of years and when I came to my heart country here in Cambodia, Ruby and Lisa made sure our brunch times still continued when I returned home for my visits! 

Lisa thought it was hilarious that Kevin and I started to call each other “Shorts’ and ‘Stretch”. Kevin is so much taller than my 5’ 2 ½” inches (do not forget the half!). Just to clarify, he called me Stretch and I called him Shorts, the opposite of our real heights! During those times that we three would meet, Lisa always suggested that we get pedicures/manicures done as well! Each time she would grab the bill and when Ruby and I started to protest, she would say, “No I am not paying for this, Shorts (Kevin) is! So all good… “.

It was Lisa who drove all the way from her place to Scarborough, where my parents just moved, to bring a round kitchen table with chairs in the family car. That girl was stronger than she looked! She was lifting that wooden table from the car to carry it to the elevator even before I could help! That was the fundamental Lisa, not just saying that she would help, but also taking the words into action when she found out that my parents needed furniture for their new place! 

It was Lisa over one year ago, when everyone else’s schedule was busy with life, who insisted on driving way over to Scarborough to pick me up to go for breakfast, to go shopping for things for my trip back to Cambodia! She instinctively knew that I liked to travel by subway and bus whenever I first return home because I missed the experience, but then she grasped that I would be tired from my ‘travelling’ here (Cambodia) by tuk tuk, and would insist on coming to pick me up at my parents’ place! 

I remember one time when I needed to get cleaning supplies and make-up, she took me to her basement where she had TONS of supplies. Ruby reminded me of that as we reminisced over the phone! We were laughing as I ‘shopped’ in her basement!

The last time I came home, and the last time I saw Lisa, was at church when she came to tell me that the cancer was back. We looked into each other’s eyes, tears beginning to flow, and hugged. No words. We knew that the only words after this would be in prayer to our Heavenly Father! Over the past four months we have chatted on WhatsApp and I know that ‘Shorts’ has shown Lisa my messages and pictures when she had been too weak to respond. Thank you, my brother! 

To Aiden, your mom was my soul sister. We always ‘hooted in laughter’ and yes, she, because of her social work background, accepted me with all of my apparent eccentricities! But that was how she was with everyone! No matter the culture, or background, she had ‘open arms’ for us all. That is why I was listening to the above song which Amanda M sang in 5 languages. Your mom blessed us, and her legacy is still blessing us. 

Ruby and I wanted to continue that blessing. So, in honor of  Lisa Zoia Mossop who was practical and saw the real needs of so many of us, we donated money to buy rice, canned food, oil and other needed grocery supplies for two specific families, who in the midst of this virus, lost their jobs and income. These two represent one of the church plants out of the city, where 50 percent of church tithing has fallen and so many are in need. This is in honor of Lisa. 

Saveit and Savuth

The next picture is in honor of Lisa, the zany woman who knew and understood that manicures/pedicures are just as important to uplift one’s self esteem and to just have a fun time! Since neither I nor Ruby could go and get a manicure and pedicure at this time, I went to my salon here, and in Lisa’s honor, I gave a case of Coca Cola and assorted cakes. 

My Salon Girls (Note the dog is the only one social distancing!)

Lisa, you are missed, but we have been blessed to have been a part of your life. We have inherited an incredible legacy of your love, not only for people, reflected in your absolute adoration of your husband and son, but also for your love for your Saviour, Jesus Christ. You were “Jesus’ in the skin for many of us. 

May we continue your legacy of prayer and action in His name!

So with tears and laughter, I will sign off with a Khmer saying: Lisa, I will see you when I see you...and we know that is in heaven! You, my girl, are now dancing with Jesus! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#214 - And Your Title For This Season Is?....

Vol.# 214

I am renaming COVID-19 to: 

Season Set Aside by GOD…or Retreat Time with the Great I AM…or Renewing my Love with Jesus…or Resetting My Priorities with Jesus…or “Really People? Toilet paper? Hmm”…

But let me be real, my first titles were:

‘Whaat?”...To… “But Lord, what trouble is dis (this)?”…To… “Ah cannot believe what is going on”…To…“Tears for those who have died in Italy/Spain...”

I have many titles depending on the week or day. Maybe you have your own?

This week we had rain here, lots of rain! It is unusual because it is the dry season and the hottest month of the year, yet it rained all night. The winds were very strong, so strong that the clothes rack fell over and the chairs went flying as well as the hammock on the rooftop, but not off the rooftop. Ha! That would not have been good for those passing by on the street, or good if you wanted some furniture! 

So, the next morning when I got up to go on the rooftop, I knew it was too wet and dirty with the winds blowing debris from other areas onto the rooftop, so I had to switch and go on to the balcony corridor outside the kitchen. As I sat and read I realized that my views had changed from one with open skies and the top of trees and rooftops to a condo building and the houses next door. My vantage point had changed and as I bemoaned this (Yes, I finally get to use this word!), God told me, Yes, but look beyond the walls and what does the building represent? Ah yes, the building represented people and thus relationships. This season I want to turn your eyes deliberately back to those relationships I have been giving you and I want you now to do deeper with them, yes, even within the walls of confinement. Ask and I will show you how, but you need to ask!

Kitchen Balcony view

Kitchen Balcony view

Rooftop View

Rooftop View

Rooftop View

One day later I am back on the rooftop. It is still a little wet with puddles in certain areas, but I have not forgotten that one lesson that HE wanted me to learn from that one day.

Praise: 

God is not only showing me how to be flexible and not stick to the same old routines, but also to expect new things and new ways of not only spending time with Him but also new ways of reaching out to others for Him! One way of immersing myself in Him is by reading other people’s works such as Pastor Sunder’s blog: redeployedpastor.wordpress.com. In his March 30, 2020 post, he talks about giving ‘the gift of a non-anxious presence’, so…

Prayer Request: 

Can you pray that HE will show me how to give this particular gift, even though I cannot do it face to face? Pastor Dave Lewis also talked about the presence of God at the communion table in his Good Friday online sermon. I want to be His Presence!

Here I am going for a quick ride to drop off a birthday cake for a former student at Rescue. I prayed a blessing on the street there as my tuk tuk driver listened and took pic.

Cambodia Update: 

Even though the government has banned travel between certain provinces and cancelled Khmer New Year (which usually occurs this week 13-16) to stop people from travelling, it seems like business as usual here with stores and malls still open, the only concession being a temperature test before entering a mall or a marker in front of certain stores showing the distance you must stand. There are no public gatherings but still no community/personal mandated space as in other countries (6 feet or 2 metres). The Government has been given the green light for the state of emergency with wide ranging powers but we are still waiting on how that will filter down to us and how it will really affect our lives.

Thank you all for your stories. Thank you for your prayers and words and your continued sacrifice of finances even though your own finances are uncertain with jobs being closed down for this season. I humbly thank you. 

Please let me know what you are ‘titling’ this hour, day, week or season!

A shout out to my bro Vish who celebrated his birthday on Easter Sunday! 

Here is a video clip of New Life Band (my church) singing By The Blood from the album Presence:

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya 

#213 - Even in the Midst of Covid-19, He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Vol.# 213

How the Virus Stole Easter
By Kristi Bothur [With a nod to Dr. Seuss]

T’was late in ‘19 when the virus began
Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land.

People were sick, hospitals full,
Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school.

As winter gave way to the promise of spring,
The virus raged on, touching peasant and king.

People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen.
They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned.

April approached and churches were closed.
“There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed.

“There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out.
No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.”

Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest.
The world was focused on masks and on tests.

“Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed.
“Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.”

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went.
The virus pressed on; it just would not relent.

The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed.
The virus still menaced, the people, estranged.

“Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling.
“They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming.

“They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do!
Their mouths will hang open a minute or two,
And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo.

“That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.”
So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear.

 And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies.
It started down low, then it started to rise.

But the sound wasn’t depressed.
Why, this sound was triumphant!
It couldn’t be so!
But it grew with abundance!

The world stared around, popping its eyes.
Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise!

Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small,
Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all!

It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!

And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine
Stood puzzling and puzzling.
“Just how can it be?”

“It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies,
It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.”

Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before.
“Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

And what happened then?
Well...the story’s not done.
What will YOU do?
Will you share with that one
Or two or more people needing hope in this night?
Will you share the source of your life in this fight?

The churches are empty - but so is the tomb,
And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom.

So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer,
As the virus still rages all around, everywhere.

May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people.
May the world see the church is not a building or steeple.
May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection,
May the world find Joy in a time of dejection.
May 2020 be known as the year of survival,
But not only that -
Let it start a revival.

The above poem was sent through a group chat from my high school mates from Trinidad and Tobago. God had chosen for us all to reconnect after 30 years or so. For such a time as this I am so grateful that we can all connect from different countries, France, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, USA, England and Trinidad and Tobago, just to name a few! 

I wanted the focus to be on His decision to die for us, the Crucifixion and His glorious Resurrection in the midst of COVID 19!

Update on Cambodia: 

The Khmer New Year which is from April 13-16th has been cancelled by the Prime Minister. As of last night a curfew was put into place that there would be no travelling out of the city and into the city. Usually this week there would be the flow from the city to the countryside or hometowns where New Year’s celebrations with family and friends would commence. However, to deter the virus from spreading there has been a moratorium on travelling. The state of emergency has not been put into place yet and we are waiting to see what that is like. The rate of infection has been low here with no known deaths. 

 

POLICE BLOCKADE AT CITY'S BOUNDARIES

Many are focusing more on the economic effects of the virus with many businesses closed down or hours of businesses restricted. The very poor are the ones being hit the hardest as in any other country. However, many still are not realizing that this is a virus that can kill! Community/personal space guidelines are not really being followed since so many live together under one roof. The garment factories are still open. However, weddings and funerals are limited to a certain amount of people, yet within those groupings, there is no personal spacing! At the main groceries here they have got the markings on the floor designating where to stand, and masks and hand sanitizers are compulsory if you are going into certain business places.

Praise: 

GIFT OF MANGOES!

I have had this craving for mangoes for the past 5 days or so, and the only person who knew that was my tuk tuk driver! For some reason or other I did not buy them, thinking that I would usually get them from the landlady. Well, yesterday I got a message from another church member who said, “Vidya, would you like some mangoes? And I will come and drop them for you at your gate!” I was in tears because HE knew my heart, a simple request, but after being in self isolation for nearly 3 weeks now and not seeing a church member face to face (rather than on the screen or on the phone), it was God saying “I listen, my child, I hear you, I will provide, but not in the way you think so that you will know that it is ME, your ABBA, your PROVIDER!”  My friend who came has been isolating as well with family members. Oh yummy! Mangoes have never tasted sweeter!

Prayer Request: 

Luke 13:18 ‘...What is the kingdom of God like? ...It is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed...and the birds of the air made nests in its branches...”

I have been asking God, what is my mustard seed today? Please pray that HE would show me how I can be His mustard seed of encouragement and help. Many of my Khmer coworkers and friends keep asking, “Bong how are you feeling?” They think I am sick and that is why I am self isolating, not realizing I am being wise for I am at ‘high risk’, but not only that, this virus is still being viewed as a foreigner one! Even as I write this, a message just popped up to help someone in hospital with bills (not COVID related), but one of our church members’ daughter who has not come to church in a long time asked for prayer. Today, I will choose to be His seed to plant His love! 

Prayer Request: 

I ask for continued prayers for my parents who have been in their apartment now for over 3 weeks. Thank you to my sister and my family back home for looking after them on site and with calls etc.

Prayer Request:

With the Khmer New Year and Easter being so close in dates, the focus is usually more on the New Year even for most Christians here. Please pray that the focus would be on EASTER rather than energies being put into how the New Year can be celebrated with the government restrictions. Pray for us to be still before God first and then celebrate with friends and family. 

To all of you in quarantine my prayers and love go out to you. I applaud our front line workers. 

I pray that as we celebrate OUR RISEN SAVIOUR, that this Easter would be extra sweet and intimate in our individual relationships with Jesus our Lord! 

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! 

Love, His Warrior and Disciple, 

Submitting to be His Dance partner here in Cambodia, 

Your sister, Vidya